Spanish fans accused of racism

France coach Raymond Domenech has accused Spanish fans of racially abusing several of his players before before Tuesday’s second-round match.

“When I arrived with the bus there were fans making monkey chants,” claimed Domenech.

The claim seems set to revive the racism row that has plagued Spanish football in recent years.

In 2005 Spain coach Luis Aragones was fined for making racist remarks about France’s Thierry Henry and when England played Spain in a friendly game last year, their black players were subjected to racist abuse bythe crowd.

Henry was clearly delighted that France prevailed in Hanover on Tuesday.

The striker said: “A lot of people were speculating about Aragones and I don’t want to talk about it because there is no point.

“But the best answer was the win.”

Domenech’s claims come on the day that Fifa reminded national associations that they will be suspended if they fail to impose tough new rules on racism that come into force in July.

“The first responsibilities lie with the national associations and if they are not doing what is expected of them then Fifa’s executive committee must intervene,” said the Fifa chief.

“The power and the responsibility lies with Fifa and the suspension of a federation is the ultimate sanction available to the disciplinary committee.

“This is a fight against a devil that still exists, unfortunately, in our sport.”

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